Method and system for automatic language negotiation on voice (over IP) calls

ABSTRACT

A method for negotiating a common language on a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network, the method comprising: allowing a plurality of users to connect to the VoIP network, each of the plurality of users having at least one of a plurality of VoIP compatible transmitting/receiving devices; configuring each of the plurality of VoIP compatible transmitting/receiving devices with a list of a plurality of languages, each of the plurality of languages having a priority level associated therewith; allowing automatic selection of the common language between two or more of the plurality of users on a joint VoIP call by performing a language handshake; computing a maximum selection score via a language handshake algorithm provided by the language handshake; maximizing a sum of priority levels; minimizing a sum of priority differences; and selecting the common language that provides a largest sum of the priority levels and a lowest sum of the priority differences.

TRADEMARKS

IBM® is a registered trademark of International Business MachinesCorporations, Armonk, New York, U.S.A. Other names used herein may beregistered trademarks, trademarks or product names of InternationalBusiness Machines Corporation or other companies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to voice over IP (VoIP) calls, and particularlyto a method for automatic language negotiation over VoIP.

2. Description of Background

The Internet spans the whole world and one may find a place to connectto the Internet at just about every location in the world. Today manywebsites are audio enabled. Voice over IP (Internet Protocol) uses an IPprotocol to send audio between one or more computers in real time, sothat users may converse.

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), is a technology that allows a userto make telephone calls using a broadband Internet connection instead ofa regular (or analog) phone line. Some services using VoIP may onlyallow a user to call other people using the same service, but others mayallow a user to call anyone who has a telephone number including local,long distance, mobile, and international numbers. Also, while someservices only work over a PC (Personal Computer) or a special VoIPphone, other services allow a user to use a traditional phone through anadaptor.

Basically, VoIP allows users to make telephone calls by logging onto acomputer network, over a data network like the Internet. VoIP convertsvoice signals from a user's telephone into a digital signal that travelsover the Internet and then converts the digital signal back at the otherend so that the user is capable of speaking to any other user with aregular phone number. When a user places a VoIP call by using a phonewith an adapter, the user hears a dial tone and dials in a regularmanner just as the user always has. VoIP may also allow the user to makecalls directly from a computer using a conventional telephone or amicrophone.

In particular, depending on the service available, one way to place aVoIP call is to pick up a phone and dial the number by using an adaptorthat connects to an existing high-speed Internet connection. The callgoes through a local telephone company to a VoIP provider. The phonecall goes over the Internet to the called party's local telephonecompany for the completion of the call. Another way is to utilize amicrophone headset plugged into a computer. The number is placed usingthe keyboard and is routed through a cable modem. Therefore, a broadband(high speed Internet) connection is required. This can be through acable modem, or high speed services such as DSL (Digital SubscriberLine) or a local area network (LAN). The user may hook up an inexpensivemicrophone to a computer and send voice data through a cable modem orconnect a phone directly to a telephone adaptor.

With the increasing popularity and stability of VoIP, many applicationsare now integrating VoIP for advanced collaboration or communicationbetween users around the world. In fact, with collaboration increasingworldwide, people are often lead to communicate with someone they do noteven know prior to starting the communication.

With instant messaging, it has been widely accepted that English is apreferred way of communicating. Nowadays, many people around the worldcan adequately write and read English. However, it appears that manypeople around the world lack proper or sufficient English speakingabilities. Therefore, when two parties start instant messaging eachother, English is assumed to be the first choice of language, especiallyon the Internet where most of the content is in English. In addition,some technical problems, such as keyboard layouts prevent people, whosenative language is not English, from easily typing in other languages.

Nevertheless for voice communication, it is a totally different issue.First, there is a limited number of people around the world who canspeak English as well as they read or write it simply because they onlyhave a visual knowledge or practice of the English language. Second,keyboard limitations are not an issue over a telephone. Therefore, itcannot always be assumed that the first choice of language forcommunicating with another person is the English language.

As a result, in the VoIP world, there is a need to select a “best”language to use when two parties, who never communicated with each otherbefore, to engage in a conversation. Since this system requires input(selection of languages) and output (visual output of “best” language touse), it can only be used on voice calls where there is an external datachannel and user input/output. VoIP calls are a natural candidate forproviding a solution, but any other kind of calls where datainput/output are possible may apply.

Thus, it is well known that VoIP is an effective way of allowing peoplearound the world to communicate. However, when two or more people wantto communicate over VoIP and English is not their native language orpreferred language of communication, there is not a way for such peopleto select a desired or “best” language of communication over VoIP.Therefore, it is desired to establish a method in which users around theworld are capable of selecting a “best” language to use over VoIP.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The shortcomings of the prior art are overcome and additional advantagesare provided through the provision of a method for negotiating a commonlanguage on a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network, the methodcomprising: allowing a plurality of users to connect to the VoIPnetwork, each of the plurality of users having at least one of aplurality of VoIP compatible transmitting/receiving devices; configuringeach of the plurality of VoIP compatible transmitting/receiving deviceswith a list of a plurality of languages, each of the plurality oflanguages having a priority level associated therewith; allowingautomatic selection of the common language between two or more of theplurality of users on a joint VoIP call by performing a languagehandshake; computing a maximum selection score via a language handshakealgorithm provided by the language handshake; maximizing a sum ofpriority levels; minimizing a sum of priority differences; and selectingthe common language that provides a largest sum of the priority levelsand a lowest sum of the priority differences.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniquesof the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the inventionare described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimedinvention. For a better understanding of the invention with advantagesand features, refer to the description and the drawings.

TECHNICAL EFFECTS

As a result of the summarized invention, technically we have achieved asolution that allows one or more users to select a “best” language whencommunicating over a VoIP network.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter, which is regarded as the invention, is particularlypointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion ofthe specification. The foregoing and other objects, features, andadvantages of the invention are apparent from the following detaileddescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings inwhich:

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP)network; and

FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a flowchart illustrating selecting acommon language on a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the exemplary embodiments is a method for automaticallyselecting a “best” language when communicating over a VoIP network.Another aspect of the exemplary embodiments is a method for enabling a“language handshake” to facilitate a user in selecting the “best”language.

VoIP is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to completelyrework the world's phone systems. VoIP providers have already beenaround for a little while and are growing steadily. Major carriers likeAT&T are already setting up VoIP calling plans in several markets aroundthe United States, and the FCC is looking seriously at the potentialramifications of VoIP service.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a method for talking analog audiosignals, like the kind heard when a user speaks on the phone, andturning the analog signals into digital data that are transmitted overthe Internet. VoIP is useful because VoIP can turn a standard Internetconnection into a means of placing free phone calls. The practicalupshot of this is that by using some of the free VoIP software that isavailable to make Internet phone calls, a user is bypassing the phonecompany (and its charges) entirely.

In particular, concerning telephone communications, packet voice systemsaccept analog voice signals from telephone handsets, digitize andcompress the analog signal, placing the resulting series of bits into ashort packet, send the packet over a network, and then decode andreconstruct the signal at the remote end. The packet network may be IPbased, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) based, Frame Relay based, etc.,thus leading to a variety of “voice over” technologies including VoIP,VoATM (Voice over Asynchronous Transfer Mode), VoDSL (Voice over DigitalSubscriber Line), VoCable (Voice over Cable), and VoP (Voice overPhone). The exemplary embodiments focus on VoIP based technologies.

Concerning telephone technologies based on VoIP, IP phones performdigitization, compression, and packetization processes directly withinthe phone and send the resulting stream of packets over an Ethernetconnection. IP gateways interface to analog or digital phones or to TDM(Time-Division Multiplexing) trunk systems and convert each voice signalto a VoIP packet stream. An IP PBX (Private Branch E(x)change) orEnterprise Gateway is often used by a telephone company to interface IPphones to a telephone network. Therefore, a Trunking Gateway is usedwithin a phone company network to convert bulk telephone traffic toVoIP.

The interesting thing about VoIP is that there is not just one way toplace a call. There are three different mechanisms of VoIP service inuse. These mechanisms are an ATA mechanism, an IP phone mechanism, and acomputer-to-computer mechanism.

Specifically, a simple way to place a call is via an ATA (AnalogTelephone Adaptor). The ATA allows a user to connect a standard phone toa computer with an Internet connection for use with VoIP. The ATA isbasically an analog-to-digital converter. The ATA receives an analogsignal from a traditional phone and converts the analog signal intodigital data for transmission over the Internet. Phone providers arebundling ATAs free with their service. In fact, a user simply cracks theATA out of the box, plug the cable to a phone that would normally go inthe wall socket into the ATA, and the user is ready to make VoIP calls.Some ATAs may ship with additional software that is loaded onto a hostcomputer to configure it. However, this is a simple and quick setup.

In particular, IP phones are specialized phones that resemble normalphones with a handset, cradle, and buttons. However, instead of havingthe standard RJ-11 phone connectors, IP phones have an RJ-45 Ethernetconnector. IP phones connect directly to a router and have all thehardware and software necessary right onboard to handle the IP call.Once Wi-Fi IP phones are available, they may allow subscribing callersto male VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot.

In particular, computer-to-computer is a simple way to use VoIP. A userdoes not need to pay for long-distance calls. There are severalcompanies offering free or very low-cost software that a user can usefor this type of VoIP. All a user is required to have is the software, amicrophone, speakers, a sound card, and an Internet connection,preferably a fast one through a cable or DSL modem. Apart from a normalmonthly ISP (Internet Service Provider) fee, there is usually no chargefor computer-to-computer calls, no matter the distance.

As a result, phone companies use VoIP to streamline their networks viaone of the mechanisms described above. By routing thousands of phonecalls through a circuit switch and into an IP gateway, phone companiesreduce the bandwidth they're using for the long haul. Once the call isreceived by a gateway on the other side of the call, it is decompressed,reassembled, and routed to a local circuit switch. Although it takessome time, eventually all of the current circuit-switched networks aregoing to be replaced with packet-switching technology.

Consequently, with VoIP, a user can make a call from anywhere in theworld as long as broadband connectivity is available. Since the IPphones or ATAs broadcast their info over the Internet, the provider canadminister them anywhere there is a connection. So business travelerscan take their phones or ATAs with them on trips and always have accessto their home phone. However, another alternative is the softphone. Asoftphone is client software that loads the VoIP service onto a desktopor laptop. Thus, VoIP technology is very useful, especially for peoplewho travel and work in other countries and are required to communicatewith people from these countries in order to conduct business. In ourglobal economy, English is not always the preferred or desired method ofcommunication between traveling individuals.

In FIG. 1, a block diagram of an exemplary system for negotiating acommon language on a VoIP is generally shown. The system includes one ormore telephones 101, 102 through which users at one or more geographiclocations contact the host system 104. The host system 104 executes aVoIP program and the telephones 101, 102 are coupled to the host system104 via a network 106. Each telephone 101, 102 is implemented using ageneral-purpose computer executing a computer program for carrying outthe processes described herein.

The network 106 may be any type of known network including, but notlimited to, a wide area network (WAN), a local area network (LAN), aglobal network (e.g., Internet), a virtual private network (VPN), and anintranet. The network 106 may be implemented using a wireless network orany kind of physical network implementation known in the art. Telephones101, 102 may be coupled to the host system through multiple networks(e.g., intranet and Internet) so that not all telephones 101, 102 arecoupled to the host system 104 through the same network. One or more ofthe telephones 101, 102 and the host system 104 may be connected to thenetwork 106 in a wireless fashion. In one embodiment, the network is theInternet and one or more telephones 101, 102 execute a user interfaceapplication (e.g., a web browser) to contact the host system 104 throughthe network 106 while another telephones 101, 102 is directly connectedto the host system 104.

The storage device 108 is implemented using a variety of devices forstoring electronic information. It is understood that the storage device108 may be implemented using memory contained in the host system 104 orit may be a separate physical device. The storage device 108 islogically addressable as a consolidated data source across a distributedenvironment that includes a network 106. Information stored in thestorage device 108 is retrieved and manipulated via the host system 104.The storage device 108 may also include other kinds of data such asinformation concerning the updating of the link database (e.g., a useridentifier, date, and time of update).

The host system 104 depicted in FIG. 1 is implemented using one or moreservers operating in response to a computer program stored in a storagemedium accessible by the server. The host system 104 operates as anetwork server (e.g., a web server) to communicate with the telephones101, 102. The host system 104 handles sending and receiving informationto and from the telephones 101, 102 and can perform associated tasks.The host system 104 may also include a firewall to prevent unauthorizedaccess to the host system 104 and enforce any limitations on authorizedaccess. For instance, an administrator may have access to the entiresystem and have authority to modify portions of the system. A firewallmay be implemented using conventional hardware and/or software as isknown in the art.

The host system 104 may also operate as an application server. The hostsystem 104 executes one or more computer programs to perform VoIPbuilding functions. Processing may be shared by the telephones 101, 102and the host system 104 by providing an application (e.g., java applet)to the telephones 101, 102. Alternatively, the telephones 101, 102 caninclude a stand-alone software application for performing a portion orall of the processing described herein. As previously described, it isunderstood that separate servers may be utilized to implement thenetwork server functions and the application server functions.Alternatively, the network server, the firewall, and the applicationserver may be implemented by a single server executing computer programsto perform the requisite functions.

To date there is no VoIP function that allows one or more users toselect a desired language or “best” language in which to make the phonecalls over the VoIP network. The exemplary embodiments demonstrate amethod of allowing users to automatically select such desired languageto communicate in. The VoIP system of the exemplary embodiments includesone or more user systems through which users at one or more geographiclocations contact the host system. The host system executes the VoIPsoftware and the user systems are coupled to the host system via a VoIPnetwork.

This language selection has to be transparent and automatic for the enduser. Furthermore, it has to allow for adaptive language, so that evenif parties A & B used to speak in language L1 at time T, parties A & Bcould use another language L2 at another time, depending on the needs ofparties A & B. For example, if person A wants to improve his/her Chinesespeaking abilities, he/she could have the VoIP system give a higherimportance to Chinese when establishing a communication, even thoughChinese might not naturally be the best selection of language(proficiency-wise). However, this would allow for natural languageimprovement and practice by using an adaptive VoIP system.

In the exemplary embodiments, each user has a configurable list oflanguages and associated levels of priority. For example, user A couldhave {English—10, French—8, Spanish—7} and user B {Chinese—10,Spanish—6, English—3}. During the VoIP call initiation, there will be a“language handshake,” which will find the best language by selecting thecommon language L from A and B that has a maximum selection score. Aselection score algorithm attempts to maximize a sum of the priorities,while minimizing the difference of priorities. In the example above,both English and Spanish have a total priority of 13. However Englishhas a priority difference of 7 (10−3=7) and Spanish 1 (7−6=1). In thatcase, it makes more sense to use Spanish for both parties to understandand communicate with each other.

If no common language is found between A & B, no selection is made or adefault selection is chosen. Once the selection is made, both partiesreceive visual output on their portable device (laptop, cell phone,etc.) of the best language to use, and are able to start a conversationor communication right away by using this language without spending timefiguring out who speaks which language.

This selection mechanism can be extended to phone calls with more thantwo parties, by changing the selection algorithm accordingly (i.e., bymaximize the sum of the priorities while minimizing the differences). Aspeople join or leave a call, the best language selection isautomatically readjusted each time. Thus, the language selectionmechanism operates dynamically with changing conditions. For examplemany calls have three people including two of the same origins and athird of a “foreign origin.” When the third person leaves, the VoIPsystem of the first two users automatically switched to their native,preferred or desired language. If another uses then wished to enter inon the phone conversation of these two users, then the VoIP system maybe automatically switched to take into account the language preferencesof the new user entering into a call.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 2, one example of a flowchartillustrating selecting a common language on a voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP) network is presented. At step 20 the selection processcommences when a user desires to make a call. At step 22 a plurality ofusers is permitted to connect to the VoIP network, each of the pluralityof users having at least one of a plurality of VoIP compatibletransmitting/receiving devices. At step 24 each of the plurality of VoIPcompatible transmitting/receiving devices is configured with a list of aplurality of languages, each of the plurality of languages having apriority level associated therewith. At step 26 automatic selection ofthe common language between two or more of the plurality of users on ajoint VoIP call is permitted by performing a language handshake. At step28 a maximum selection score is computed via a language handshakealgorithm provided by the language handshake. At step 30 a sum ofpriority levels is maximized. At step 32 a sum of priority differencesis minimized. At step 34 the common language that provides a largest sumof the priority levels and a lowest sum of the priority differences isselected by the VoIP system. At step 36 the selection process isterminated.

Therefore, the advantages of the exemplary embodiments are that (1) theVoIP system automatically selects a “best” language to use on a voiceconversation between two or more parties, (2) since the VoIP systemrequires input (selection of languages) and output (visual output ofbest language to use), the VoIP system can only be used on voice callswhere there is an external data channel and user input/output, and (3)during the VoIP call initiation, there is a ‘language handshake,’ whichfinds the “best” language by selecting a common language L from A and Bwhich has the maximum selection score. Of course, the users arepermitted to select any language they desire even if the maximumselection score is low. This gives the users the opportunity to practicetheir language skills by communicating with another person in a languagethat they have been

The advantages of using VoIP technology are that VoIP uses theInternet's packet-switching capabilities to provide phone service. VoIPhas several advantages over circuit switching. For example, packetswitching allows several telephone calls to occupy the amount of spaceoccupied by only one in a circuit-switched network. Using PSTN (PublicSwitched Telephone Network), a 10-minute phone call consumes 10 fullminutes of transmission time at a cost of 128 Kbps. In contrast, withVoIP, that same call may have occupied only 3.5 minutes of transmissiontime at a cost of 64 Kbps, leaving another 64 Kbps free for those 3.5minutes, plus an additional 128 Kbps for the remaining 6.5 minutes.Based on this simple estimate, another three or four calls could easilyfit into the space used by a single call under a conventional telephonesystem. In addition, this example doesn't even factor in the use of datacompression, which further reduces the size of each call.

In addition, VoIP facilitates tasks that may be more difficult toachieve using traditional phone networks. For instance, incoming phonecalls can be automatically routed to a user's VoIP phone, regardless ofwhere the user connected to a network. Therefore, if a user takes a VoIPphone on a trip, anywhere the user connects to the Internet, the usercan receive incoming calls. Also, free phone numbers for use with VoIPare available in the USA, UK and other countries.

The capabilities of the present invention can be implemented insoftware, firmware, hardware or some combination thereof.

As one example, one or more aspects of the present invention can beincluded in an article of manufacture (e.g., one or more computerprogram products) having, for instance, computer usable media. The mediahas embodied therein, for instance, computer readable program code meansfor providing and facilitating the capabilities of the presentinvention. The article of manufacture can be included as a part of acomputer system or sold separately.

Additionally, at least one program storage device readable by a machine,tangibly embodying at least one program of instructions executable bythe machine to perform the capabilities of the present invention can beprovided.

The flow diagrams depicted herein are just examples. There may be manyvariations to these diagrams or the steps (or operations) describedtherein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Forinstance, the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps maybe added, deleted or modified. All of these variations are considered apart of the claimed invention.

While the preferred embodiment to the invention has been described, itwill be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in thefuture, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall withinthe scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construedto maintain the proper protection for the invention first described.

1. A method for negotiating a common language on a voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP) network, the method comprising: allowing a plurality ofusers to connect to the VoIP network, each of the plurality of usershaving at least one of a plurality of VoIP compatibletransmitting/receiving devices; configuring each of the plurality ofVoIP compatible transmitting/receiving devices with a list of aplurality of languages, each of the plurality of languages having apriority level associated therewith; allowing automatic selection of thecommon language between two or more of the plurality of users on a jointVoIP call by performing a language handshake; computing a maximumselection score via a language handshake algorithm provided by thelanguage handshake; maximizing a sum of priority levels; minimizing asum of priority differences; and selecting the common language thatprovides a largest sum of the sum of priority levels and a lowest sum ofthe sum of priority differences.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein eachof the plurality of VoIP compatible transmitting/receiving devicesincludes a visual output.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the visualoutput displays the common language selected by the language handshakealgorithm.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein a user of a VoIP compatibletransmitting/receiving device determines the priority level associatedwith each of the plurality of languages in the list.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein if the selecting step is unable to detect the commonlanguage, then the VoIP network selects a default language.
 6. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the language handshake algorithm re-computesthe maximum selection score each time one or more users of the pluralityof users enters or dismisses the joint VoIP call.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein one or more users of the plurality of users on the joint VoIPcall is permitted to select a different language than the commonlanguage selected by the selection score algorithm via determination ofthe maximum selection score.